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The moon is still waiting for visitors

“WE’VE been there before.” It was with those words that President Barack Obama, speaking in 2010, ruled out a return to the moon. Whether deliberately or not, his words echoed George Mallory’s famous 1923 justification for climbing Mount Everest&colon; “Because it’s there”.

Now it seems that NASA might return to the moon after all. Following weeks of speculation, a scientist at the European Space Agency, which is partnering with NASA, has told New Scientist that ESA anticipates two new lunar missions (see “Humans head for moon’s orbit – and beyond“). The second of these would see humans orbit the moon, but not attempt to land on its surface.

That, it seems, will be left to private firms. Why would they bother? Perhaps to extract resources. Perhaps for the publicity. And perhaps because it’s still there.